Rocks and Pools | Free Adventure for D&D and PF2e

Sometimes, an event along the road can lead to an interesting diversion; others involve a dangerous situation that forces the characters to address the situation and avoid pitfalls. This adventure offers a challenge that may lure characters into a perilous situation that likewise contains moral conundrums: if the situation becomes too dire, do they strike down the minions ensorcelled by the hag to protect themselves, or do they try to save everyone? The resolution may also serve as a way to grow the characters’ reputation in the region and unlock favorable rewards that they can cash in during future events.

The road cuts through a gulley, which opens into a wide bowl amidst brittle, dying plants and large green crystals. The light shimmers through the translucent exterior until it bathes the boulders and sheer rock faces in its unusual light. Cracks spiderweb across the dry earth, the sandy soil untouched by water recently.

 Roleplaying Notes.

·         The knight calls out to the characters, asking if they are there to help protect their fair queen. His language is stilted and overly formal, like a courtier’s.

·         If the characters ask to know more, he invites them to join their camp (this is a trick to get the characters closer).

·         Once the characters are near one of the crystals, he orders his companions to attack.

·         If the characters express ambivalence or disinterest, the knight becomes enraged and declares them villains, ordering his companions to attack.

·         When the knight commands the group to attack, the green hag cackles and lets the illusion vanish.

Encounter Notes.

·         The green hag immediately becomes invisible and leaves the scene. The characters can only track her through magical means.

·         The scouts target any crystals near the characters with their bows while the berserkers charge in to engage the characters with greataxes.

·         The knight targets characters with his crossbow until the characters defeat the two berserkers, at which point he approaches with his greatsword.

·         The hag has ensorcelled the humanoids; if any are struck by a critical hit or reduced to 10 hp, it will snap them out of the spell.

This section of the adventure is an interlude for characters to gather more information before proceeding to the next portion of the adventure. Depending on the characters’ decisions, they may be able to learn more about the situation or recruit allies. The previous map can be used if a visual is beneficial, but it is not location-specific.

Roleplaying Notes.

·         The soldiers are disoriented and confused after the hag’s influence. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check reveals that they were under a powerful enchantment where they were mind-controlled.

·         The soldiers explain it was their duty to ensure the road was safe for travelers, but they encountered a beautiful woman who transformed into a hag.

·         They were involved in several encounters with travelers in the following weeks, targeting them and collecting their valuables for the hag—whom they call Queen Grendaleaf.

·         One of the soldiers recalls that there were two more knights in their retinue that Grendaleaf kept as personal bodyguards. These two are likely still under her control and are guarding her treasure collection.

·         Despite the magical fog lingering in their minds, the soldiers can provide directions to where they can find the hag.

·         The soldiers ask the characters to assist them in freeing their comrades, promising to tell the local authorities about their role in the situation and increase their favor in the region.

Parched ferns border the dry road leading to a hilltop clearing. Wisps of green fog curl around the ground, partially crystalized in the open air. Several watery pools divide the path in a Y shape, large boulders jutting upwards from their depths.

 Roleplaying Notes.

·         The hag reclines atop her throne as both ensorcelled knights dote on her; they only have eyes for her.

·         When the characters arrive, the hag welcomes them and introduces herself as Queen Grendaleaf.

·         She gestures toward the green fog, proudly explaining this to be an alchemical creation she designed. All it needs is water to condense the mist into crystals.

·         Grendaleaf is annoyed that the characters have damaged her “playthings.” However, she is willing to depart the area and free her remaining captives if the characters bargain with her.

·         Her interests lie in rare magical objects, but she might try to tempt characters with cryptic alternatives—such as a character’s need “to use spectacles” (she takes one of their eyes) or the ability “to taste their favorite food” (she claims their tongue).

·         If they make a bargain, she will honor it and not attempt to subvert the deal. However, she does collect her hidden treasure trove before departing.

·         If the characters attempt to deceive her or react with hostility, she cackles and informs them that she will make them her new playthings.

Encounter Notes.

·         She sends the knights to fight and defeat the characters in melee combat. They target whichever character is closest to the green hag.

·         If a knight gets struck by a critical hit or reduced to 10 hp, it snaps them out of the hag’s spell.

·         If a character steps within range of the crystals, the knights target the crystals to force them to shatter (see the earlier “Crystal Traps” note).

·         When reduced to 15 hp, the hag will attempt to escape; if it appears that escape is impossible, she will attempt to negotiate for her life.

Sometimes, an event along the road can lead to an interesting diversion; others involve a dangerous situation that forces the characters to address the situation and avoid pitfalls. This adventure offers a challenge that may lure characters into a perilous situation that likewise contains moral conundrums: if the situation becomes too dire, do they strike down the minions ensorcelled by the hag to protect themselves, or do they try to save everyone? The resolution may also serve as a way to grow the characters’ reputation in the region and unlock favorable rewards that they can cash in during future events.

The road cuts through a gulley, which opens into a wide bowl amidst brittle, dying plants and large green crystals. The light shimmers through the translucent exterior until it bathes the boulders and sheer rock faces in its unusual light. Cracks spiderweb across the dry earth, the sandy soil untouched by water recently.

 Roleplaying Notes.

·         The virtuous defender calls out to the characters, asking if they are there to help protect their fair queen. His language is stilted and overly formal, like a courtier’s.

·         If the characters ask to know more, he invites them to join their camp (this is a trick to get the characters closer).

·         Once the characters are near one of the crystals, he orders his companions to attack.

·         If the characters express ambivalence or disinterest, the virtuous defender becomes enraged and declares them villains, ordering his companions to attack.

·         When the virtuous defender commands the group to attack, the green hag cackles and lets the illusion vanish.

Encounter Notes.

·         The green hag immediately becomes invisible and leaves the scene. The characters can only track her through magical means.

·         The bandits target any crystals near the characters with their slings while the ruffians charge in to engage the characters with clubs.

·         The virtuous defender targets characters with his longbow until the characters defeat the two ruffians, at which point he approaches with his longsword.

·         The hag has ensorcelled the humanoids; if any are struck by a critical hit or reduced to 10 hp, it will snap them out of the spell.

This section of the adventure is an interlude for characters to gather more information before proceeding to the next portion of the adventure. Depending on the characters’ decisions, they may be able to learn more about the situation or recruit allies. The previous map can be used if a visual is beneficial, but it is not location-specific.

Roleplaying Notes.

·         The soldiers are disoriented and confused after the hag’s influence. A DC 20 Arcana check reveals that they were under a powerful enchantment where they were mind-controlled.

·         The soldiers explain it was their duty to ensure the road was safe for travelers, but they encountered a beautiful woman who transformed into a hag.

·         They were involved in several encounters with travelers in the following weeks, targeting them and collecting their valuables for the hag—whom they call Queen Grendaleaf.

·         One of the soldiers recalls that there were two more virtuous defenders in their retinue that Grendaleaf kept as personal bodyguards. These two are likely still under her control and are guarding her treasure collection.

·         Despite the magical fog lingering in their minds, the soldiers can provide directions to where they can find the hag.

·         The soldiers ask the characters to assist them in freeing their comrades, promising to tell the local authorities about their role in the situation and increase their favor in the region.

Parched ferns border the dry road leading to a hilltop clearing. Wisps of green fog curl around the ground, partially crystalized in the open air. Several watery pools divide the path in a Y shape, large boulders jutting upwards from their depths.

 Roleplaying Notes.

·         The hag reclines atop her throne as both ensorcelled virtuous defenders dote on her; they only have eyes for her.

·         When the characters arrive, the hag welcomes them and introduces herself as Queen Grendaleaf.

·         She gestures toward the green fog, proudly explaining this to be an alchemical creation she designed. All it needs is water to condense the mist into crystals.

·         Grendaleaf is annoyed that the characters have damaged her “playthings.” However, she is willing to depart the area and free her remaining captives if the characters bargain with her.

·         Her interests lie in rare magical objects, but she might try to tempt characters with cryptic alternatives—such as a character’s need “to use spectacles” (she takes one of their eyes) or the ability “to taste their favorite food” (she claims their tongue).

·         If they make a bargain, she will honor it and not attempt to subvert the deal. However, she does collect her hidden treasure trove before departing.

·         If the characters attempt to deceive her or react with hostility, she cackles and informs them that she will make them her new playthings.

Encounter Notes.

·         She sends the virtuous defenders to fight and defeat the characters in melee combat. They target whichever character is closest to the green hag.

·         If a virtuous defender gets struck by a critical hit or reduced to 10 hp, it snaps them out of the hag’s spell.

·         If a character steps within range of the crystals, the virtuous defenders target the crystals to force them to shatter (see the earlier “Crystal Traps” note).

·         When reduced to 15 hp, the hag will attempt to escape; if it appears that escape is impossible, she will attempt to negotiate for her life.